Plenty to like about the Seahawks signing Terrell Owens

Thanks in large part to a sub-4.5 40-yard dash and a positive physical exam on his reconstructed knee, Terrell Owens will be a Seahawk, and I really like the deal for five reasons:

1. First and foremost, Owens signed a one-year deal for the league minimum. Therefore, all the leverage is clearly in the team’s corner. If T.O. displays any of the dysfunctional behavior that has been a part of his past, he will be sent packing. I understand “trust” and Pete Carroll have not always been synonymous along the way, but Carroll’s guillotine on malcontents in Seattle speaks for itself.

Terrell Owens has never been afraid to go over the middle, something the Seahawks likely will not ask Sidney Rice to do much of. (AP)

2. Jim Mora begged for dirtbags, and although his choice of words was misguided, what he really wanted was players with an edge. Carroll and general manager John Schneider have a roster filled with such players (Chris Clemons, Marshawn Lynch and Kellen Winslow, to name a few) and Owens brings a similar hunger and chip on his shoulder to the playing field.

Jay Buhner said it perfectly a few weeks back when describing the selfish competitiveness a professional athlete must have: “You have got to be greedy, greedy for success.” The best I played with — Marvin Harrison, Peyton Manning, Corey Dillon — they wanted their yards, wanted their touchdowns, wanted their touches. And as long as that individual hunger falls under the team umbrella, success often follows.

3. This is Owens’ last shot. As sad and shallow as it may be, football is his refuge and realistically the only option he has to make a significant income after blowing through tens of millions of dollars (see also the “Dr. Phil” episode in early May). The man who is second only to Jerry Rice in career receiving yards is desperate, broke and motivated, while at the same time in impeccable physical condition. Rice and Franco Harris weren’t running 4.4 40s when their careers ended in Seattle.

4. Owens is one big dude. A wideout with a huge catching radius like Owens is quarterback’s best friend. Unlike Antonio Bryant, Mike Williams, Plaxico Burress, and even Braylon Edwards, Owens has also been incredibly productive when given the opportunity in his most recent years. A torn ACL sidelined him in 2011, but with three different teams from 2008-2010 he averaged 65 receptions and over 950 yards. Remember that Doug Baldwin led this team with 51 catches and 788 yards last season.

5. Lastly, Carroll was very clear after Sunday’s scrimmage that the Seahawks would be doing plenty of evaluating of their personnel. The signing of Owens clearly shows this receiving group needs help. Ricardo Lockette has a tight hamstring and tighter hands. Kris Durham has lacked separation and suddenness and got banged up once again in Sunday’s scrimmage. Sidney Rice will see very little contact on his surgically repaired shoulders all preseason. Baldwin has a tweaked hamstring. Golden Tate is not a legitimate outside receiver down-in and down-out.

The Seahawks need a boost, need an edge, need a threat at receiver, and taking a flier on Owens may be the best medicine for a group that is hamstringing this offense today.